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Posted on Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.

Michigan guard Darius Morris explains his extended stay on the bench and other notes

By Michael Rothstein

Darius Morris

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — John Beilein stopped Darius Morris as he took him out of the game, put his left arm around his sophomore point guard’s waist and the two talked for almost 30 seconds.

Well, Beilein did most of the talking.

At the time, it looked like a punishment of a bad offensive decision as Morris had dribbled too much the possession before. At the time, Illinois held a 41-34 over the Michigan basketball team with 12:08 left in the second half.

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“We gave him a fatigue rest right there because he was playing with a lot of fatigue and was playing like he was fatigued,” Beilein said. “So sit down, and it was going so well, let’s go with it.”

Morris came back in and scored immediately on a layup. He finished with 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds. He also had to guard the Illini’s best player, Demetri McCamey, who had 18 points.

“I caught my breath,” Morris said. “They did a good job of pressuring the ball, and I was guarding McCamey as well. The coaches noticed I got a little bit tired and then when they took me out, we got on a little run before they separated again, but I felt rejuvenated when I came back in the game.

“It was the most rest I’ve gotten.”

Wednesday, bloody Wednesday

On the second possession of the game, Stu Douglass started to bleed. Not sure what was going on, he ran to the sideline, had cotton shoved in his left nostril and continued on.

He also had scratches and bruises on his arms and hands and a Band Aid on his left side.

Comments

Ross

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.

While I am also quite disappointed that we didn't go for the tie, how do you know that was a coaching decision? Smotrycz could have easily run baseline and put in a layup. Instead he chose to shoot the three. Not convinced that was a coaching decision. Beilein looked ready to cry after we lost. I don't think that was what he wanted.
All in all I have been quite impressed with Beilein's coaching this season. Disciplined on defense, mostly good shot selection, going with what is working for you in game, and smart substitutions.
Going into Illinois and almost pulling off the win, in a supposed &quot;rebuilding year&quot; is a testament to what Beilein has been able to achieve from coaching skill.

Evan

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.

I totally agree with Ross. I'm loving what Beilein is doing with this group of young players and this program. To almost beat Illinois (a team that starts 3-4 SRs) at home is huge. The last shot came down to young players not understanding the situation and not knowing how to win games. Smotrycz had options and honestly (given his current talent level), I agree with his shot.

dacianman

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.

Last night proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that poor coaching earned the loss. Simple logic dictates - even without a time out left - that if you're down by two with next to no-time left, you go for a tie - or TWO - and give yourself a chance to win in overtime. In doing so, going to the basket can cause the opponent to fault and if you do score, you have a chance to make a free throw and win, or even if you do not score, have a couple of free throws to tie. So WHAT HAPPENED? None of what made sense - but end up being forced to go for a 3 pointer to win! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!
Like I said - POOR COACHING MR. B. REALLY POOR!

Evan

Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.

&quot;Smotrycz, though, said Michigan knew the situation and the play called for either Morris to drive or for Smotrycz to take a 3-pointer on the wing.&quot;
Sounds like solid coaching to me...